Juventus extend midfielder Sturaro’s contract till 2021

Turin, Dec 15 (IANS) Juventus young midfielder Stefano Sturaro on Thursday renewed his contract for five more years which will keep him with the record Italian football champions until at least 2021.

Bursting onto the scene with a series of late season performances in 2014/15, Sturaro, 23, has made 56 appearances in all competitions, consolidating his position as a key squad player over the subsequent two campaigns, winning consecutive league and cup doubles along the way.

“After two years I’ve realised that getting here is nothing, the difficulty is staying here and that’s why this renewal is a new achievement for me, but also a starting point and more responsibility,” Sturaro told Juventus’ official TV.

A twisted knee while on international duty at the European Championships in July saw Sturaro miss the first steps of Juventus’ title defence this time around.

But a string of typically combative and energetic displays in midfield in the past month or so have demonstrated that the Italian is starting to rediscover his best form.